Fremont edges W.J. for 1st hoop title

OGDEN — Austin Beus could shoot a 1,000 free throws and never toss up an airball. So when Fremont's most clutch foul shooter airballed the first of 1-and-1 with 14 seconds remaining in Saturday's 5A championship game, he was more than shocked.

"I've always dreamed of that situation, but in my dreams I make it," said Beus.

Fortunately for the Fremont senior, the miss won't come back to haunt him.

With the No. 1 Silverwolves leading by two in the final seconds, Beus stripped the ball away from West Jordan's Tee McCook as he drove for the tying basket to preserve Fremont's thrilling 50-48 victory at the Dee Events Center.

"We've talked about this since we were sophomores," said Beus, who admitted that being the preseason No. 1 team in 5A only drove him and his teammates to work harder to win the school's first basketball title.

The victory capped a tremendous season for Fremont (23-2), as well as an incredible championship game that featured 10 ties and 14 lead changes. In the fourth quarter alone, there were four lead changes, with neither team enjoying more than a three-point lead.

West Jordan enjoyed its biggest lead of the quarter at 47-44 with under two minutes remaining on a 3-pointer by Josh Hansen. Following a Fremont miss on the other end, the unheralded Jaguars were in a great position to win the game by hanging onto the ball and making their foul shots.

West Jordan discovered quickly that wasting time against Fremont's defense isn't that easy. With 1:03 remaining, the Wolves' defense forced the Jaguars into a turnover, and 12 seconds later Deseret Morning News tournament MVP Ryan Sanchez hit the shot of his life.

After working off a double screen, Sanchez buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key despite being fouled. He successfully finished off the four-point play, putting Fremont ahead 48-47. Sanchez finished with a game-high 18 points.

"We didn't even necessarily want a three, we just wanted a shot for him," said Fremont coach Bernie Graziano.

Fremont's defense forced West Jordan into another turnover, but this time Sanchez — who made all 17 of his state tournament free throw attempts until that point — only made 1-of-2 foul shots with 40 seconds remaining.

West Jordan's Peddler had a chance to tie the game, but even he wasn't immune to the pressure associated with the thousands of screaming fans in the Dee Events Center.